Total Cholesterol – Elevation increases risk of heart disease and stroke. Triglycerides – Elevated in “mixed” hyperlipidemia often in Diabetics and Syndrome X patients. Liver Functions Tests
• Alanine aminotranferase (ALT or SGPT) – An enzyme produced in liver cells
is elevated when cells are excessively damaged or die secondary to hepatitis (viralm alcohlic, medication-induced, etc.)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) – An enzyme is produced in
muscle and liver (less specific than ALT) can be elevated in a 1:1 ration with liver disease.
• Alkaline Phosphatase (Alk Phos) – An enzyme produced in the bile ducts,
intestine, kidney, placenta and bone. Elevation in normal or only modestly elevated ALT and AST activites, suggests disease of the bile ducts, alone with some bone disorders and growing children up to age 22.
• Gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) – An enzyme produced in the bile
ducts may be elevated with bile duct disease, any liver disease, medications and alcohol consumption.
• Bilirubin - The major breakdown product from old red blood cells are elevated
with increased production, many different liver diseases and some non-liver disease.
• Actate Dehydrogenenase (LDH) – Enzyme found in many organs may be
elevated with hepatitis or with other organs diseases including the heart, lungs, skeletal muscles, the kidney or brain.
• Proteins – Total proteins synthesized by the liver consist mainly of albumin and
globulin are rarely elevated and low with poor liver function, malnutrition, some kidney disease and other rare condtions.
Other – Cancer Screening Pap smear – positive if microscopic evidence of infectious irritation (Candida, HPV, etc.) or precanerous cells in WOMEN.PSA (Prostate specific Antigen) – Elevated with prostate infections, benign prostate enlargement (BPH) and prostate cancer in MEN. Thyroid Function
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) – Sensitive measure of thyroid function
and used to monitor thyroid replacement therapy.
• T3 - Elevated in some thyroid diseases and low in malnutrition, severe acute
• T4 – Decrease with normal or elevated TSH suggests thyroid but with low TSH a Uric Acid – Elevated with gout. Urinalysis (UA)- Tests for evidence of urinary tract infection and presence of blood, sugar, or protein in the urine. White Blood cells – Indicates presence of possible infection. Nitrites – Presence indicates infection. Leukocyte estrace – Presence indicates infection. Ketones – Elevated in diabetes, fasting, dieting or starvation. Glucose- Elevated when blood sugar is over 180 and suggests diabetes. Blood/Occult blood or RBC’s – Presence suggest bleeding in the urinary tract infection, or may be related to menstruation. The cause should always be determined especially in men. Protein – Presence may be seen with kidney problems, diabetes and bone cancer among other causes. Urobilinogen – Presence may be seen in liver disease, breakage of blood cells and medication.

EXTRAWURST AUGUST 2003: DIE KRÄUTERHEX This month, I’d like to write about the German drug scene and its chief ‘pusher’- the Kräuterhex or ‘Herb Witch’ who, having died out long ago in the UK, is alive and kickingand plying her trade as well as ever here. Before I moved to Germany, I’d hear the odd complaint about not being able to get this or thatlotion or potion that one can n

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619 Updated August 25, 2009 Staying Home with the Flu: Instructions for Those Who Are Sick and Their Close Contacts Dear Flu Sufferer, You are suspected of having flu or have been diagnosed with flu. To help prevent the spread of flu virus to others,